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Pain in the side of the foot, whether internal or external, can have several causes such as muscle fatigue, bunions, tendonitis or sprain. In most cases it is a pain that will not last more than two days and that can be treated at home with ice packs, rest and elevation of the foot.
It is recommended to look for a physiotherapist and in cases of serious injuries an orthopedist in case of difficulty placing the foot on the floor and / or the presence of bruises. Learn 6 ways to treat foot pain at home.
1. Muscle fatigue
This is the most common situation for the appearance of pain in the side of the foot, which can occur in cases of falls, walking on uneven terrain for long periods, beginning of activity without stretching, inappropriate shoes for physical exercises or sudden change of habits, such as start a new sport.
What to do: elevating the foot helps in the circulation of oxygen-rich blood and consequently relieves discomfort, rest and ice packs for 20 to 30 minutes 3 to 4 times a day are also recommended, you can place the rolled stones in a cloth so that the ice is not in contact with the skin. Learn 7 other tips on how to fight muscle fatigue.
2. Wrong step
Some people may have an irregular step, which causes changes in walking, in addition to pain in the inner or outer side of the foot. Napisada supine the foot is more inclined towards the external side, putting pressure on the last toe, already in the pronation, the impulse comes from the first toe and the step is turned towards the inner side of the foot. The ideal is to have a neutral step where the impulse to walk begins in the instep, so the impact is evenly distributed over the surface of the foot.
What to do: if there is pain, ice packs for 20 to 30 minutes 3 to 4 times a day is a good way to relieve pain, never put ice directly on the skin. Consulting an orthopedist may be necessary in cases of continuous pain, treatment may include wearing special shoes or physiotherapy. See also how to choose the right running shoe.
3. Bunion
The bunion is the deformity caused by tilting the first and / or last toe inwards, forming a callus on the outside or inside of the feet. Its causes are diverse, and may have genetic or everyday factors such as tight shoes and high heels.
The formation of the bunion is gradual and in the first stages it can present pain in the sides of the feet.
What to do: if there is a bunion there are exercises that can be done, in addition to the use of more comfortable shoes and devices that assist in the separation of the fingers giving more comfort in daily life, if you suspect swelling with ice packs for 20 to 30 minutes 3 to 4 times a day, without the ice touching the skin directly. See also 4 exercises for bunions and how to care for your feet.
4. Tendonitis
Tendonitis in most cases is formed by trauma to the feet caused by repetitive movements or high impact physical activities, such as jumping rope or playing football, the pain can be on the inner or outer side of the foot.
The diagnosis of tendonitis is made by X-ray analysis by the orthopedist, which will differentiate it from a muscle injury and initiate the most appropriate treatment.
What to do: raise the injured foot and do an ice pack for 20 to 30 minutes for 3 or 4 times a day, but without placing ice directly on the skin. If pain and swelling is noticed after rest it is important to go to the doctor, as the injury can be serious.
5. Sprain
Sprain is a type of trauma usually in the ankle that can cause pain in the internal or external side of the foot, it is a stretch or muscle rupture that can occur due to medium and high impact activities such as jumping rope or playing football, accidents such as sudden falls or strong strokes.
What to do: elevate the injured foot and make an ice pack for 20 to 30 minutes for 3 or 4 times a day, without ice being in direct contact with the skin. If the pain remains, it is recommended to seek an orthopedist for evaluation, as the sprain has three degrees of injury and it is necessary to assess the need for surgical intervention in the most severe cases. Learn more about ankle sprains, symptoms and how to treat.
When to go to the doctor
It is recommended to go to the doctor when the symptoms do not improve and you can see aggravations such as:
- Difficulty placing your foot on the floor or walking;
- Appearance of purplish stains;
- Unbearable pain that did not improve after using analgesics;
- Swelling;
- Presence of pus on the spot;
It is important to go to the doctor if symptoms of worsening are suspected, as in certain cases it will be necessary to do tests such as the X-ray to identify the cause of the pain and begin the most appropriate treatment.
Created by: Tua Saúde Editorial Team
Bibliography>
- FOOT MUSCLES. Anatomy paper and pen. Available in: . Accessed on 13 Jul 2020
- BRAZILIAN MAGAZINE OF ORTOPEDIA. Muscle injury - pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment and clinical presentation. Available in: . Accessed on 13 Jul 2020
- JOURNAL OF THE BRAZILIAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. Ankle sprain . Available in: . Accessed on 13 Jul 2020